Expansion-joint.



1 m 10 J mm m MA n .JE

APPLICATION FILED FEB-19, 1912.

Patented 0013.1,1912.

c2222? a -9144i! -ments in Expansion-Joints;

JAMES ADKINS, JR., OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

EXPANSION-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct 1, 1912.

Application filed February 19, 1912. Serial No. 673,572.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES ADKINS, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of MlSS01111,l13V6 invented certain new and useful Improveand I do de clare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in means for controlling the expansion of wood paving blocks whereby they are effectually prevented from bulging when expanded by water or moisture soaking into the same, or other causes.

One object of the invent-ion is to provide an improved construction of elastic filling blocks which may be placed at suitable positions between the paving blocks in the process of laying the pavement or which may be inserted between the paving blocks at any time after the pavement is laid.

Another object is to provide an improved means for forming and for protecting the filling blocks while being handled prior to or during the operation of inserting or laying the same.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangements of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a wooden block pavement showing the application of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the same on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the blocks showing the preferred construction and arrangement thereof; and illustrating the cover of the box containing the block in an open position. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view thereof; and, Fig. 5 is a de tail perspective view of one of the blocks removed from its box or casing.

As is well known the greatest trouble in connection with wooden block pavements is due to the expansion of the blocks from moisture or water soaking into the same, said expansion causing the blocks to bulge upwardly. It has also been found that it is much more ditiicult to take care of the lateral expansion than it is to control the expansion lengthwise or along the line of the street and it is believed that the method and means herein described and claimed will effectually overcome this trouble by compensating for or controlling the expansion of the blocks. 4

In carrying-out the invention I preferably provide filling blocks 1 of suitable thickness and constructed of a composition of materials which will allow the block to compress under pressure so that when inserted between the paving blocks 2 the lateral expansion of the latter will be taken up or provided for, thus preventing the paving block from bulging upwardly. The method in use at the present time for correcting this lateral expansion is to apply a compressible material between the curbs or sides of the street and the adjacent portions of the paving blocks. This method of procedure has been found to be impracticable in that the paving blocks are not permitted to expand sufficiently and therefore bulge upwardly in the middle of the pavement. By constructmg the blocks in accordance with my invention and insert-ing the same at intervals between the paving blocks as clearly shown in the drawings, the full expansion of the blocks is provided for so that the danger of the pavement bulging at any point is entirely prevented or reduced to a minimum.

My improved filling blocks 1 may be poured or molded separately in any suitable manner or cut in slices from a large block of the material used. The preferred manner however of .constructing these blocks is to provide acardboard box 3 of the proper size and shape and to fill the same with the material of which the blocks are formed. The boxes 3 are preferably provided on one end with a cover t which may be secured to the box in any suitable manner. When thus constructing the filling blocks the box not only serves as a mold for shaping the blocks but also serves as a means for protecting the blocks while being. handled prior to or during the process of laying or inserting the same between the paving blocks. In using the blocks the same are preferably permitted to remain in the boxes when laid and both the box and the block inserted between the paving blocks, this manner of usingthe blocks being particularly desirable in warm weather. It will be understood however that if desired the blocks may be removed from the boxes just prior to or when they are being laid or placed between the paving blocks. It is further to be observed that. by constructing the box- 3 of paste-board or other material it will readily decay or become destroyed when exposed to the weather or placed between paving blocks with the elastic filling block'contained therein, thereby leaving a space which will compensate for the expansion of the paving blocks, although said space will finally becomefilled.

My improved filling blocks 1 may be made of asphalt, coal tar, or any other suitableelastic or yielding material, but are preferably formed of a composition or mixture comprising asphalt, lime-dust or cement and petroleum oil combined in the proper proportions for producing a block aving the desired elasticity or yielding qualities.

This invention is especially useful in connection with the paving inside or between the street car tracks and while the same has been herein described for use in connection with wooden block pavements, it is obvious that the same may be employed between bricks or similar forms of pavement to compensate for any possible expansion which might occur therein.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invent-ion as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I I claim is;

As an article of manufacture, a prepared elastic filling block, and a casing inclosing said block and consisting of paste-board or other material which will readily decay or become destroyed when exposed to the weather, said elastic block being adapted to be inserted between paving blocks together with its casing, whereby a space is formed between the blocks when said casing becomes destroyed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

. JAMES ADKINS, JR. Witnesses: (I

JAMES E. DAME, I. CQGILLESPIE. 

